Chapter 3: Biosocial Theories of Crime Flashcards
4 biosocial factors that shape behavior
biological (hormones), genetics, brain, environment
Purpose of biosocial theories
focus on identifying/undertsnaind unqiue qualities + showing how their prescence/abscence of chemical/hormonal or physical is related to the participation in illegal activities
The foundation for biosocial theories
comes from _____
positivism
Positivism is an approach to the study of human behavior that seeks to _________.
identify the underlying causes of behavior using the principles of s.m.
3 core assumptions of biosocial theories
1) individuals are biologically unique/different from others
2) diff. in makeup account for diff. in behavior
3) criminal behavior is a result of physical constructions/characteristics identified thru observation
Who coined atavism?
Lombroso
What is atavism?
belief that criminals were less evolved forms of humans (ape-like) “throwbacks”,
Lombroso wrote ___ ____ that focused on criminal anthropology and crime
Criminal Man
Define physiognomy
identifying distinct facial features of those who commit crime
Define phrenology
part os the brain control diff, social actions, more developed+ more bumps
3 types of criminals (Lombroso)
born criminals, insane criminals, criminaloids
Define born criminals
those less developed physcially, mentally, emotionally
Define insane criminals
those with a mental deficiency or due to alcohol/drugs
Define criminaloids
those with no deficiencies but in certain conditions will engage
List core characteristics defined by Lombroso as stigmata’s
- An overly large head
- Facial features in which one side differs from one side
- Large forehead, very narrow forehead
- Large number of wrinkles
- Protruding lips
- Large jaw or cheek bones
- Long arms
- Pouch-like cheeks
- Eyes or Ears that stand out from the head
Biological factors and their relationship
to crime are affected by _____
social influences/ envrionment
A study by Liggio found that adolescents consuming a ____ and ___ based diet had more behavioral problems and delinquency
high-carb, starch
A study by Olds suggested that children consuming more ______ have higher IQ’s
fatty-acids
Infants who are ____ are less likely to have behavior/conduct issues
breastfed
Epigenetic Studies suggest that
genes play a role in crime
genes are passed thru families like diseases
Behavioral genetic research has shown antisocial behavior to be ____
heritable
The impact of genetic
factors on criminality
can be studied in two
different ways, what are they?
1) Behavior (environment) genetic analysis- family studies, twin studies
2) Molecular genetic analysis- structure/function of DNA
How do hormones
and genetics
influence behavior?
The brain
Chemicals known as
_______
allow hormones and
genetic factors to
affect behavior
continued on next slide
neurotransmitters
Describe purpose of dopamine
-regulates mood and affect
-important for human motivation and reward processes
- sustains life
Effects of dopamine malfunctioning
- account for illegal behaviors (violence, drug use)
- account for socially problematic behaviors (gambling, alcoholism)
Describe purpose of serotonin
- moderates primitive drives: aggression, sex, food seeking
Effects of Serotonin deficiency
- aggressive human behavior
- impulsive conduct w/ little regard for consequences
One of the strongest links between brain development and criminality centers around _____, specifically prenatal exposure
alcohol
_____ is more or less….the
trigger of the predisposed factors
continued on next slide
environment
